UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 30, 2015

 

StoneCastle Financial Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware     333-189307   90-0934878
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
    (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

152 West 57th Street, 35th floor, New York, NY   10019
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 354-6500

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 2.02           Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On April 30, 2015 the registrant issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. The text of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.

 

The information disclosed under this item 2.02 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made under the Securities Act of 1933, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
99.1   Press Release, dated April 30, 2015
 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

 

Date: April 30, 2015

 

  By: /s/ Patrick J. Farrell         
  Name: Patrick J. Farrell
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number   Description
     
99.1   Press Release, Dated April 30, 2015
 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

StoneCastle Financial Corp. Reports First
Quarter 2015 Results

 

NEW YORK, April 30, 2015 – StoneCastle Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: BANX) (“StoneCastle Financial” or the “Company”), an investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), today announced results for the first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015.

 

First Quarter 2015 Investment Highlights:

 

  · Invested $55.2 million in debt, preferred stock and equity in 17 investments
     
  · Sold $15.9 million of Preferred Term Securities, Ltd., Fixed Rate Mezzanine Notes
     
  · Received repayment of $20.6 million from 7 investments

 

Highlighted investment activity in the first quarter 2015 included:

 

  · $7.6 million in Amboy Capital Trust I, 9.00% Trust Preferred Security
     
  · $5.0 million in Cornerstone Community Bancorp Subordinated Debenture, due 2/28/2025, 8.80%
     
  · $4.9 million in Mercantil Trust Preferred Series 2015, 9.74% Notes
     
  · $4.4 million in National Bank of Indianapolis Trust Preferred Series 2015, 9.74% Notes
     
  · $3.2 million in Freeport Bancshares Subordinated Debenture, due 2/17/2025, 8.875%

 

A complete listing of investments as of the end of the quarter can be found in the Company’s N-Q report.

 

At March 31, 2015, the estimated current yield generated by the Invested Portfolio (excluding cash and cash equivalents) was approximately 8.45%.

 

“As we have consistently stated, we are focused on building our business for the long term, with a particular focus on credit quality in the portfolio” stated Joshua Siegel, StoneCastle Financial’s Chairman & CEO, “and we believe credit quality will ultimately differentiate our company in the market.”

 

First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

 

Net investment income was $1,858,317 or $0.29 per share, comprised of $3,223,384 in gross income and $1,365,067 of expenses. Realized gains were $942,849 or $0.14 per share resulting in total distributable ordinary income of $0.43 per share. The change in unrealized appreciation of the portfolio investments totaled $732,212 or $0.11 per share. Total net realized and unrealized gains on investments were $0.25 per share.

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company’s net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $3,533,378.

 

The Company paid a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per share on March 30, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2015.

 

At March 31, 2015, the Company had Net Assets of $142.5 million, and the Company’s Net Asset Value was $21.90 per share. The Company had drawn $33.0 million on its total $70 million credit facility, which represents approximately 18% of total assets. According to the current regulated investment company rules, the Company may borrow only up to 33.3% of its total assets.

 

Portfolio and Investment Summary

 

As of the close of business on March 31, 2015, the Company had total assets of $186.2 million, consisting of investments with a fair value of $167.3 million (“Invested Portfolio”), cash and money market fund investments of $8.6 million, and other assets of $10.3 million.  “Total Assets” includes long term investments at market value, cash, interest and dividends receivable, receivables for securities sold, other assets, and any proceeds from borrowings used to make a portfolio investment.  

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company invested $55.2 million in debt, preferred stock and equity. The Company received repayment from calls totaling $20.6 million.

 

Quarterly Conference Call

 

StoneCastle Financial will host a webcast and conference call April 30, 2015 at 5:00 pm Eastern time.

 

The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9039 for domestic callers or 1-201-689-8470 for international callers. Participants may also access the call via live webcast by visiting StoneCastle Financial’s investor relations website at www.stonecastle-financial.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available shortly after the call and be available through midnight (Eastern Time) on May 14, 2015. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 for domestic callers or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers. The passcode for the replay is 13604252. The archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website for a limited time.

 

About StoneCastle Financial Corp.

 

StoneCastle Financial is an SEC registered non-diversified, closed-end management investment company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BANX.” StoneCastle Financial intends to make long-term, passive, non-control investments in community banks seeking capital for organic growth, acquisitions, share repurchases and other refinancing activities. Its investment objective is to provide current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. StoneCastle Financial is managed by StoneCastle Asset Management LLC.

 

Disclaimer and Risk Factors:

 

There is no assurance that StoneCastle Financial will achieve its investment objective. StoneCastle Financial is subject to numerous risks, including investment and market risks, management risk, income and interest rate risks, banking industry risks, preferred stock risk, convertible securities risk, debt securities risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk, leverage risk, non-diversification risk, credit and counterparty risks, market discount from net asset value risk and market disruption risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) their net asset value. Shares of StoneCastle Financial may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should review and consider carefully StoneCastle Financial’s investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Learn more at www.stonecastle-financial.com.

 

The Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other regulatory filings of the Company with the SEC are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.stonecastle-financial.com, and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Company.

 

CONTACT: Investor Contact:

 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

(unaudited)

 

   March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014 
Assets          
Long-Term investments, at fair value (cost: $166,799,538 and $170,437,641 respectively)  $167,342,080   $170,247,971 
Receivable for securities sold   8,018,440     
Cash and cash equivalents   8,568,826    10,714,128 
Interest and dividends receivable   1,330,453    1,350,047 
Prepaid assets   916,789    714,507 
Total assets   186,176,588    183,026,653 
           
Liabilities          
Loan payable   33,000,000    22,500,000 
Payable for securities purchased   9,328,625    13,923,525 
Dividends payable       3,250,518 
Investment advisory fee payable   631,676    589,632 
Offering expenses payable   48,047    58,047 
Directors fee payable   3,250     
Loan interest payable   2,753    52,090 
Accrued expenses payable   660,672    521,056 
Total liabilities   43,675,023    40,894,868 
Net Assets   142,501,565   $142,131,785 
           
Net Assets consist of:          
Common stock at par ($0.001 per share)   6,506    6,501 
Paid-in-capital   145,653,043    145,565,472 
Distributions in excess of net investment income   (3,700,526)*   (3,250,518)*
Net unrealized appreciation / (depreciation) on investments   542,542    (189,670)
Net Assets  $142,501,565   $142,131,785 
           
Net Asset Value Per Share:          
Common Stock Shares Outstanding   6,505,767    6,501,035 
Net asset value per common share  $21.90   $21.86 
Market price per share  $17.97   $19.47 
Market price discount to net asset value per share   -17.95%   -10.93%

 

* Includes accumulated net realized gain on investments.

 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Statement of Operations

(unaudited)

 

   For The Three Months 
   Ended March 31, 2015 
Investment Income     
Dividends  $1,762,479 
Interest   1,417,950 
Origination fee income   14,945 
Other income   28,010 
Total Investment Income   3,223,384 
      
Expenses     
Investment advisory fees   631,676 
Interest expense   244,383 
ABA marketing and licensing fees   125,000 
Professional fees   79,261 
Transfer agent, custodian fees and administrator fees   66,533 
Directors’ fees   45,000 
Bank fees   41,118 
Investor relations fees   29,700 
Due diligence expense   28,010 
Insurance expense   22,500 
Miscellaneous fees   51,886 
Total expenses   1,365,067 
Net Investment Income   1,858,317 
      
Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments     
Net realized gain on investments   942,849 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments   732,212 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments  $1,675,061 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations  $3,533,378 
 

STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP.

Financial Highlights

(unaudited)

 

   For the Three Months 
   Ended March 31, 2015 
Per Share Operating Performance     
Net Asset Value, beginning of period  $21.86 
Net investment income(1)   0.29 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments (1)   0.25 
Total from investment operations   0.54 
      
Less distributions to shareholders     
From net investment income   (0.50)
Total distributions   (0.50)
      
Net asset value, end of period  $21.90 
Per share market value, end of period  $17.97 
Total investment return based on market value (2)   -5.17%
      
Ratios and Supplemental Data     
Net assets, end of period (in millions)  $142.5 
Expenses (3)(4)   3.89%
Net investment income(3)   1.31%
Portfolio turnover rate (5)   33%

 

 
(1) Based on the average shares outstanding during quarter.
   
(2) Based on share market price and reinvestment of distributions at the price obtained under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total return does not include sales load and offering expenses.
   
(3) Annualized
   
(4) Excluding interest expense, operating expenses would have been 3.19%.
   
(5) Not annualized